For many years, and even today to some extent, the main source of livelihood was commercial fishing and trapping. This settlement was occupied, then deserted, depending on the season and location of game. For many years, the main settlement was a Big Black River, 20 miles north along the lake. This was the main fishing station and big steamships would come up to the lake to collect the boxed fish, while delivering much needed supplies and mail. During the fall and winter, families would move their traplines and not return until spring. One year, a terrible epidemic swept through the settlement and killed more than half of the people. Partly because of this and also to be closer to their trap lines, many people moved south to Poplar River. Here, the main settlement has remained and grown, even in spite of a forest fire that totally wiped out the community in 1926. Since then, it has grown to a well-spread, pleasant community. Poplar River is known to some as "The Home of Sasquatch." Whether or not there is any truth in this, many footprints and sightings have been reported. For the history buff, this and the many legends which have endured since the early trappers, will supply you with a very interesting field, if you want to delve more deeply into it. Northway Aviation has scheduled flights to Poplar River daily (Sunday through Friday) from Winnipeg International Airport. SoWind Air flies from St. Andrews airport. Northway also has a flight to Pine dock, which is 75 miles north of Gimli.
Transportation - General roads exist throughout. There is a winter road which connects to Berens River and other places south for 2 - 3 months each winter.